1ST IKEDA PEACE SYMPOSIUM
On February 24, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan, and the University of the East, in cooperation with SGI-Philippines, organized the first “Ikeda Symposium” at the SGI-Philippines Manila International Peace Center, Escolta. More than 300 educators and students from 16 universities attended this event, and Honorable Hilario G. Davide Jr., former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, delivered his inaugural speech. On February 24, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan, and the University of the East, in cooperation with SGI-Philippines, organized the first “Ikeda Symposium” at the SGI-Philippines Manila International Peace Center, Escolta. More than 300 educators and students from 16 universities attended this event, and Honorable Hilario G. Davide Jr., former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, delivered his inaugural speech.
Four plenary speakers from the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan, shared their researches on the philosophies of SGI President and the founder of Soka University, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda, and discussed various aspects on “peace” under the theme: “Harnessing the Values of Peace for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
 |
|
 |
|||
| Dr. Junichi Kanzaka | Dr. Jasmin Nario - Galace | Dr. Maria Guajardo | Dr. Tingyang Liu | |||
|
Dean of Faculty of Economics of Soka University and the Director of the Soka Education Research Institute, discussed the life of Dr. Jose Rizal and the purpose of university education. |
Director of the Center for Peace Education for Miriam College, meanwhile, tackled with the most fundamental question of this symposium: "What is Peace?" and emphasized the role of education in building a culture of peace. | Deputy Vice-President of Soka University, touched the topic on peace from the aspect of "leadership" and encourages the educators present at the symposium to foster and individual who will serve as a "leader of humanism". | Professor at the National Kaohsiung Normal University, Taiwan, elaborated the philosophies of SGI President Ikeda and how his values would bring positive effects on our environment. |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This symposium was the first venue in the Philippines to discuss the philosophies and values of SGI President Ikeda – absolute respect for human potentials and dignity of all lives, which are based on his faith in Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism – in an academic manner relevant to the current situations in the Philippines.